Communication Studies
14 courses · Victor Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
CMST 104 Argumentation and Oral Debate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Advisory
- ENGL 101.0 and CMST 109
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 120
The study of argumentation within an oral debate setting. Treatment of the theories and practices of argument, both formal and informal. Emphasis on language as a tool of argument. Fallacies of reasoning, practical problem-solving situations, and systems of logic. Oral exercises including debates, extensive writing requirements including advocacy papers, and analysis of refutations of arguments. C-ID COMM 120.
CMST 105 Intercultural Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 150
A course designed for the student to learn relevant intercultural communication elements, factors, and theories. Students will learn and be evaluated on: describing their cultural roots, creating an identity collage, defining worldview and cultural values, analyzing an intercultural encounter, describing an intercultural communication context, and exploring a specific intercultural topic. Students will demonstrate proficiency in the above through exams, individual and group presentations, and essays. C-ID COMM 150.
CMST 106 Interpersonal Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 130
A course which examines human communication theory and principles across a variety of contexts. The course emphasizes analysis of communication variables as well as skill development and application. (UC credit limitation). C-ID COMM 130. .
CMST 107 Family Communication
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An introduction to human communication in the setting of the family. The goal is to help the student understand how, through communication, people develop, maintain, enhance, or destroy family relationships. Students will study the variables and the process of communication as they affect the interaction of their families and to develop insight that will make it possible to apply this knowledge.
CMST 108 Group Discussion
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 140
Practical application of the processes involved in group discussion with an emphasis on problem solving and decision making. Attention to structured and unstructured situations. Principles applicable to groups found in schools, businesses, professions, and the family. Development on interpersonal skills for thoughtful participation in a democratic society. (UC credit limitation). C-ID COMM 140.
CMST 128 Special Topic
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
These courses are designed to permit investigation in depth of topics not covered by regular catalog offerings. Course content, hours, and unit credit to be determined by the instructor in relation to community/students interest and/or available staff. may be offered as a seminar, lecture, or laboratory class. Individual course descriptions approved by the Curriculum Committee are on file in Office of Instruction. .
CMST 129 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-3
- Transfers to
- CSU
See Independent Study listing (1-3 units). .
CMST 138 Work Experience Education Communication Studies
- Units
- 1-8
- Transfers to
- CSU
Work Experience Education is a key element of Victor Valley College's comprehensive approach to career development. Work Experience Education is a 16-, 12-, or 8-week course that enables students to receive college credit for paid or unpaid work opportunities. This course helps students gain valuable on-the-job work experience while providing practical education, best practices in professional development, and academic guidance through the course of their work opportunity. The combination of practical experience and curricular development empowers students to be more competitive, efficient and valuable employees upon completion of this program and/or their academic program trajectory. The course is ideal for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or seeking career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupational training through work-based learning experiences such as through an internship. Work Experience Education transforms community businesses, industries, and public agencies into expanded educational training laboratories. Credit is awarded on the basis of learning objectives completed and the number of hours the student trains.Students must create/complete new learning objectives each semester they enroll. Students may utilize their present work sites. More details are available in the Work Experience Education Office, (760) 245-4271, ext. 2281.The office, located in the Academic Commons, is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 2:00-6:00 p.m., and by appointment. Please refer to the Work Experience Education section in this catalog for more information.
CMST 160 Streaming Video Production and Distribution
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will expand on streaming video technology used in today's communication market place, including all technical aspects of video and mustimedia with the focue on theoretical and practical video technology issues. Basic video and TV principals, video fundamentals, digital video, video compression, video streaming, multicast, IP Video, multimedia compresson and transmission, multimedia signal processing, distributed video systems, and visualization. Streaming video production equipment and mobile technologies will be explored. This course will comer all the aspects of the current and future video interfaces and networks used to distribute video. .
CMST 180 Survey of Visual Communication Technologies
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Advisory
- Computer Literacy. An overview of Adobe Creative Suite. Students are given the opportunity to sample professional digital design tools while applying the fundamentals of design.
- Transfers to
- CSU
CMST 181 Principles of Communication Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An introductory survey course demonstrating the methods and principles common to the communication design disciplines, including problem-solving, composition, idea generation, and storytelling.
CMST 184 Interactive Design for Internet Communication
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Anoverviewofmostcurrentindustrystandard softwareusedforcreatingweb pages. This course does not focus on HTML or scripting language but is focused on the development of effetive communication in the design.
CMST 188 Fundamentals of Journalism
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- ENGL 45
- Corequisite
- CMST 188LA
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course covers the basics of news and feature reporting and writing, including interviewing techniques, legal/ethical issues, writing strategies, and desk-top publishing. Students produce the campus newspaper and learn about career opportunities. Crosslisted with JOUR 108.
CMST 282 Social Media
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course students will explore the emerging social media career. Student will learn to use tools and techniques used to create social media content and to effectively communicate and disseminate information to the masses and niche media groups. The challenges faced by content creators will also be discussed. .